Telehealth and Health Information Technology in Rural Healthcare – News
News stories from the past 60 days.
Sep 30, 2026 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is requesting information from public health, healthcare, health information exchange, and other organizations serving rural communities on how to support secure, scalable, standards-based public health data exchange. Comments are due November 20, 2026.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office of Rural Health
Sep 29, 2026 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services making technical and typographical corrections to the August 4, 2026, final rule. These corrections are effective October 1, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 22, 2026 - Announces newly awarded funding for telehealth and technology-enabled learning projects focused on testing innovative solutions, increasing access to nutrition services, and improving provider retention to strengthen the rural healthcare workforce.
Source: Health Resources & Services Administration
Sep 22, 2026 - Describes the benefits of a telestroke program including the improved outcomes as well as time and money saved for rural residents in need of emergency and follow-up care.
Source: Sanford Health
Sep 21, 2026 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) seeks comments on how data intermediaries can be used to support secure, scalable, standards-based public health data exchange. Information collected will be used to evaluate and explore how data intermediaries can advance broader goals to prevent disease; detect emerging threats; drive state-of-the-art solutions that empower communities; and strengthen public health systems for a safer, healthier nation. Includes specific questions and topics of interest to the CDC. Comments are due by November 20, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
HHS: Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology; Health Information Technology Advisory Committee; Amended Notice of Meeting
Federal Register
Sep 14, 2026 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announcing a change in the meeting of the Health Information Technology Advisory Committee (HITAC). The HITAC meeting scheduled for September 24, 2026, will now be held on October 8, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Eastern.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 11, 2026 - Describes a remote patient monitoring program for pregnant and postpartum women in rural Mississippi. Discusses the impact of the program on detecting common health conditions, increasing health literacy, and addressing mental health as well as how clinicians use the data in healthcare provision.
Source: National Rural Health Association
Sep 11, 2026 - Summarizes discussions in an August virtual session between the Indian Health Service's Health Information Technology Modernization Program and tribes, tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations regarding PATH EHR implementation. Includes links to offer feedback and connect with the program.
Source: Indian Health Service
FCC: Promoting Telehealth in Rural America
Federal Register
Aug 31, 2026 - Notice of proposed rule from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) seeking comments on possible Rural Health Care (RHC) Program improvements related to Telecommunications (Telecom) Program support calculations, RHC Program supported services, and RHC Program processes. Specifically, the FCC is interested in comments on the scope of the similar service and rural area comparability requirements, existing cost study method of determining rural telecommunications rates, a proposal to establish an eligible services list for the Rural Health Care (RHC) Program, and more. Comments are due by September 30, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
American Nurses Enterprise Awarded $5 Million to Spearhead AI Training for Rural Nursing Communities
Aug 20, 2026 - Announces new funding for an artificial intelligence (AI) training program focused on nurses in rural, remote, and underserved communities. The program aims to train nurses to safely and effectively use AI in clinical environments.
Source: American Nurses Enterprise News

